Color & Coiffure - Riccardo Maggiore Salons Hair and Beauty Blog

Spring is almost here and if your plans include a vacation or getaway, here are a few tips for styling and keeping your hair healthy.

Travel size - When you’re going away, don’t rely on the hair care products hotels give you for free. If you have color treated hair, be sure to pack your color shampoo and conditioner in travel bottles or buy travel sizes. From Oribe to Kerastase to Riccardo Maggiore’s signature line, we have TSA approved travel sizes of all your essentials. And speaking of essentials, travel blogger Dana Berez recommends dry shampoo: “Dry Shampoo can work wonders, and let you keep a style for longer than a day. I even put dry shampoo in my roots on day one to add some texture.”

Protect Proactively. Get a salon treatment before you go. Besides adding shine and restoring moisture, a deep conditioning treatment will help to strengthen your hair and seal your cuticles for protection from the elements. One of our favorites is the Milbon treatment because it includes a booster pack of 4 take-home treatments you can throw in your travel bag.

If you aren’t able to get a salon treatment, use a leave-in conditioner which will act as a barrier from saltwater and chlorine. Riccardo Maggiore’s Rinnova Hair Texturizer is a fabulous leave-in with sunscreens to protect from UVA/UVB damage.

Be sure to wet your hair with clean water before you go in the pool. There’s actually a scientific reason for this. Your hair will absorb the water, so is much better for it to absorb tap water than chlorinated water which can damage your hair.

Let your hair have a vacation too - if you regularly heat style your hair, a vacation is a great time to give it a rest. Change it up and explore the natural texture of your hair or create texture with heatless styling. Travel and lifestyle Dana Berez, “I like to wash my hair at night and tie it up in two buns or a french braid and let it dry overnight. In the morning I have curls without any heat styling or time.” Berez also loves to add hair accessories: “Whenever I am in a bind and my hair is not cooperating, I like to put it in a high pony, and wrap a hair scarf around it. “

Whatever your plans, we hope you’re able to relax and enjoy them. Before you go or after you return, we’re here to help create beauty for your lifestyle.

Today is Valentines’ Day and it’s a good time to remember to show your hair some love.

ASSESS - Take a moment to think about how your hair and styling routine fits with your lifestyle. Is your color bringing out the best in your complexion? Does your cut complement your face shape? Are you using the right styling products and tools? We offer complimentary consultations where our expert assess all this and more.

TREAT - If your hair is chemically processed or heat styled, regular salon conditioning treatments are essential. But treatments can also strengthen hair, restore elasticity and shine, and help detangle and prevent split ends, making them an important part of any hair care routine. We offer a range of hair and scalp treatments including Kérastase, Milbon and Olaplex and will customize treatments based on your individual needs.

MAINTAIN - Make your hair a priority. Schedule cuts every 4-6 weeks even if you’re growing out your hair. Trimming your ends will prevent damage from traveling up the hair shaft. If your hair is color treated, be sure to use a shampoo that will protect the integrity of the color. Ask your stylists about the best products to use between salon visits.

Hannah Carlson, Entrepreneur and Founder of Fifthbull Creative Production Agency recently visited our Midtown salon and captured her appointment on video. Her hair was cut by owner Riccardo Maggiore with styling help from Mario and makeup by Jay. Ms. Carlson enjoyed the “amazing experience” created by the Riccardo Maggiore team and called Riccardo “The most creative hairstylist I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with!”

So how did Riccardo Maggiore achieve Hannah’s look? “Hannah’s hair was very long so I first cut it to a length that was better suited to her face,” Maggiore explained. “Then I added layers to her hair to better emphasize the look of soft wavy curls.”

Riccardo used Kérastase L'incroyable Blowdry Hair Lotion after towel drying Hannah’s hair. After blow drying with a round brush, he set the hair with rollers. Once the hair was out of rollers, Riccardo worked a non-sticky styling paste through the hair to give it extra density.

Now all Hannah’s hair was missing was that extra shine. Riccardo used Luminoso Drops from his signature product line to smooth and seal the cuticles and add a beautiful luster. Riccardo recommends this product for all hair types, “especially those wishing to restore softness and shine to dull and lifeless hair.”

Finally, Riccardo used with a finishing spray to give hold without stiffness.

And the results? Simply gorgeous. But of course, Ms. Carlson reminds us that “Great hair doesn’t happen by chance. It happens by appointment.”

The holiday season is in full swing and our to-do lists are growing by the minute. Shopping, cooking, decorating, and of course, holiday parties. Don’t let party season bring you stress - come into Riccardo Maggiore Salons and let us do the work. Sit back, relax and before you know it you’ll walk out with party-perfect hair, skin and nails.

Whether you’re going for an elegant twisted updo, glamorous waves or anything in between, our expert stylists have you covered.

Hair by Riccardo Maggiore

While you’re at it, give your nails a little sparkle or shine. Our nail experts are here whether you want a classic manicure or more of a festive holiday look.

Nails by Nicole at Midtown

We’ve also got makeup artists to work with your skin’s complexion and enhance your natural beauty. Also consider a brow shaping. A well-sculpted arch can really open up your eyes, framing them beautifully for those holiday photos.

Welcome back! As we head into cozy sweater, changing leaves, pumpkin spice season, let’s talk about what’s in store for your hair this autumn.

If you spent time at the beach or the pool this summer, your hair may be feeling the after-effects. Sun and chlorine can damage your hair, leaving it dry and brittle. Even air conditioning can deprive your locks of moisture. Early fall is the perfect time to rejuvenate and restore your hair with a salon treatment.

With the Kerastase Fusio-Dose Hair Lab, our expert stylists will diagnose your hair and create a customized treatment based on your needs. Each treatment starts with a base determined by your hair type and primary hair need and gets a booster on top determined by your secondary hair need.

Mention this article when booking and receive 15% off Fusio-Dose hair treatments (booked with blowout, haircut, or color service) between now and November 30th.

Photo Credit: Kerestase

The glass hair trend has been on the rise lately and we’re loving this chic, sleek look. Glass hair is all about smooth, soft, ultra-shiny hair with a mirror-like reflection quality.

A geometric haircut is the foundation for glass hair as clean lines will reflect light in a different way than layers.

If your hair is naturally straight, you may be able to achieve this look with by blow drying with a heat styling product (Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique), utilizing a flat iron and finishing with a serum (Riccardo Maggiore’s Luminoso drops) or a glossing spray like Oribe’s Shine Light Reflecting Spray.

Depending on your hair’s texture and condition, you may need some type of treatment process - a Milbon protein smoothing, Hair Botox, or Keratin straightening.

Photo Credit: Instagram

The forecast for fall hair color is rich - whether that means creamy, buttery blondes, earthy auburn tones for redheads or deep mahogany shades for brunettes. And don’t rule out raven black. With the right skin tone this can be a gorgeous fall look to take you into winter.

Brunettes might be asking colorists for a shot of espresso in their hair this fall. That’s because the trend everyone’s buzzing about is Cold Brew Hair, inspired by the color blend of the swirl of milk in coffee in this popular drink.

Color by Christina Liberatore

The look involves using rich highlights and lowlights to create dimension with dark browns and warm golden tones. Variations include mocha, hazelnut and caramel. Or this beautiful butterscotch done at our Midtown location.

Color by Christina Liberatore

As always our talented team of hair experts are here to create beauty for your lifestyle. Call to book your appointment at Midtown 212-586-6482 or Flatiron 212-448-0600 today!

Brows, bikini areas, underarms... These are just a few places you might find more hair than you'd prefer. You could pluck, tweeze or shave but waxing will look more polished and keep you smooth much longer.

For both routine waxers and first timers, waxing is rarely, if ever, an enjoyable experience. Personally, we think the few seconds of discomfort are worth the satisfyingly smooth result, but to make things a little easier we’ve got a few pre- and post-waxing tips to relieve any worries and keep your skin in perfect condition. Before you come in for services, here’s what you should keep in mind regarding waxing.

Keep your appointments regular. Waxing on a schedule helps because waxing either too early or too late makes your hair more susceptible to breaking under service. Allow at least 3 weeks between waxing sessions to allow your hair to grow to the optimum length. If you’re tempted to tweeze those pesky ingrown hairs or trim between appointments – don’t! The best thing to do is exfoliate the area to-be-waxed.

On the day of your waxing appointment, do not use any oil or lotion on the skin. If you want, you can also take a mild painkiller before your appointment to relieve any potential irritation.

Waxing causes skin inflammation in most people, so once you’ve survived the ordeal, you’ll want to be diligent with your aftercare. Focus on treating your skin well to avoid unwanted bumps or ingrown hairs. Use an antibacterial wash to help clear the area of bacteria – tea tree oil is a great option. Keep your waxed bits exfoliated, smooth, and away from the sun! Your skin is sensitive after a wax so just take it easy and be kind – we love a post-wax Netflix binge.

While warmer months have a few obvious beauty benefits (hello, summer skin!), heat can be horrible for your hair. Sun, chlorine, and salt water will take a toll on your strands. From protecting your color to maintaining moisture, one of the most frustrating dilemmas is frizz. We aren’t here to stigmatize the summer sizzle – if you love your frizz, keep it – but if you want a sleek look, here’s how we fight the good fight.

Begin by using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. If you have curly or coarse hair, shampoo every other day with a moisturizing formula. For those with fine hair and who may be skeptical about using moisturizing products on your tresses, Riccardo Maggiore's Carezza Shampoo is designed for frequent use. It won’t strip your hair of its natural moisture, and our Carezza Conditioner rinses away easily with no build-up.

If you’re still seeing frizz and not one to sit around long enough to do a hair mask, our Luminoso Anti-Frizz Drops are a great alternative. These drops seal the hair cuticles, offering a radiant shine while eliminating frizz and static electricity. Plus, they combine beautifully with gels without leaving hair greasy or sticky. Massage a few drops through your ends before reaching for your blow dryer. After drying, your hair will feel fabulous!

Carezza Shampoo, Carezza Conditioner and Luminoso Drops available at both Flatiron and Midtown Locations!

Today marks the Summer Solstice, the official First Day of Summer. When the weather is perfect outside, the last thing you want to do is waste time indoors getting your hair just right. While it’s tempting to pull your hair back in a ponytail or throw on a hat, we have some summer styling tips to save you time without sacrificing style.

Sea salt spray needs to be on your shelf. Unlike most styling products that weigh hair down and create a heavy, slick look, the goal of sea salt spray is to work with the hair’s natural texture. A good one adds volume, hold, and texture to flat hair without leaving a visible residue. One of our favorites is Kérastase’s Spray à Porter. It has micronized polymers for flexible movement and shape memory as well as antioxidants and UV protection.

If you’re completely new to sea salt spray, here’s how it works: the salt binds individual strands of hair together for added texture. The product will give you matte hair that moves without feeling greasy to the touch. These sprays work best in medium to long hair and are super effective as a pre-styling agent. If you want a product to “freeze” your hair in place, sea salt spray is not for you but if you want to get back to a natural look with a bit of control (think beach waves), then look no further.

How do you use sea salt spray? Start with freshly washed hair, pat dry, then apply the product to your hair and work completely into your hair using your hands. Grab your hair dryer – the goal here isn’t to just dry your hair, but lock in your particular style. Start at the root of your hair and blow in the direction of your chosen flow. We love drying the hair backwards, pushed back, but this product works for any style! While you dry, keep running your fingers through the hair to keep the process even.

If you’re air drying, apply the sea salt spray and scrunch the hair with your fingers for a few minutes. When your hair is dry and styled, you’re ready to go. Pro tip: less is definitely more. Use a pea sized amount of your styling product and focus on the roots of the hair. Too much product here will weigh hair down and remove the volume we’ve so effortlessly achieved.

That’s it! You’re done. Now go enjoy a natural, textured look that will last all day.

Hey guys, need a little grooming advice? Well, this post is just for you.

Men’s cuts continue to be cropped short on the sides and with more length on top and variations in fade and texture. We’re seeing everything from short and spiky to a longer quiff, styled back or combed over. Whatever your style, you'll need some product to achieve texture.

As we mentioned in our spring blog, summer is the time to switch from gel to a clay based hair product. One of our favorites is Oribe’s Rough Luxury Soft Molding Paste. Ultra-pliable, it slips easily through hair for texture, definition and shine and works with both short cuts and long layers. Plus it has UV protection for the summer months.

Okay, your hair is looking great, but what about your skin? Facials are a terrific way to maintain your skin at its best. Yes, they are incredibly relaxing and you will feel pampered, but you’ll also be doing some hardcore skincare work.

Your skin suffers daily from air pollution, grit, and dirt, all of which get into your pores and attack skin cells. The overall result can leave your skin looking dull with large, black pores and a visible increase in age.

A facial is a non-surgical way of renewing your skin; think of it as a factory reset for your face. The treatment is designed to remove the dirt and debris inside your pores, and provide your skin the nourishment it needs. Whether your skin is oily, suffering from dryness or a combination, the right facial can re-balance those skin conditions. You’ll leave with younger and healthier looking skin.

In addition to facials, our Flatiron team of estheticians specialize in men’s waxing, so it’s a one stop shop if hair removal is part of your lifestyle.